Test tube rack

Abstract

A test tube rack for both group stamping and thereafter holding reagent tubes in test position. The rack includes end supports and an intermediate test tube grid and is operable in alternate horizontal position for the stamping operations and in a vertical position for the test operation. Control bars with means for holding specimen tubes may also operate to hold the reagent tubes in position. The control bars also operate in open and closed positions.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An improved construction test tube rack usable in alternate horizontal and vertical use positions for respectively initially loading and stamping reaction tubes and thereafter conducting tests from patient specimen tubes in such reaction tubes, comprising a rack body including a pair of end plates each having a lower edge surface forming a first supporting surface for supporting the rack in its vertical position and at least one adjacent side edge surface forming a second supporting surface for supporting said rack in its alternate horizontal position, said body further including a substantially planar tube grid with upper and lower surfaces and longitudinally extending between said end plates and supported thereby, said grid having at least one said surface provided with a plurality of upstanding aligned and longitudinally spaced members for supporting and longitudinally spacing a plurality of reagent test tubes thereon, at least one control bar longitudinally extending along said one grid surface and operable between open and closed alternate positions, said control bar having a substantially transparent inner surface member in opposition to said one grid surface and adapted to contact said reagent test tubes supported thereon in its closed position and positioned away from said one grid surface in its open position, said closed control bar position adapted for use in said vertical rack position to lock said reagent tubes in an upright position. 
     
     
       2. The test tube rack of claim 1, including means for urging said control bar to said closed position. 
     
     
       3. The test tube rack of claim 1, said one grid surface including a longitudinally directed slot extending through said spacing members and a resilient element positioned in said slot and upon which said reagent tubes are adapted to rest for resilient support. 
     
     
       4. The test tube rack of claim 1, wherein both the upper and lower surfaces of said tube grid are provided with said reagent test tube spacing members and said end plates having two side edge surfaces adjacent said lower edge supporting surface for respectively supporting said rack in first and second alternate horizontal positions, there being two control bars each respectively adapted for positioning in an open and closed position. 
     
     
       5. The test tube rack of claim 4, both of said grid surfaces including a longitudinally directed slot extending through said spacing members and a resilient element positioned in said slot and upon which said reagent tubes are adapted to rest for resilient support. 
     
     
       6. An improved construction test tube rack usable in alternate horizontal and vertical use positions for respectively initially loading and stamping reaction tubes and thereafter conducting tests from patient specimen tubes in such reaction tubes, comprising a rack body including a pair of end plates each having a lower edge surface for supporting the rack in its vertical position and at least one adjacent side edge surface for supporting said rack in its alternate horizontal position, said body further including a substantially planar tube grid with upper and lower surfaces and longitudinally extending between said end plates and supported thereby, said grid having at least one said surface provided with a plurality of upstanding aligned and longitudinally spaced members for supporting and longitudinally spacing a plurality of reagent test tubes thereon, at least one control bar longitudinally extending along said one grid surface and operable between open and closed alternate positions, said control bar having an inner surface member in opposition to said one grid surface and adapted to contact said reagent test tubes supported thereon in its closed position and positioned away from said one grid surface in its open position, said closed control bar position adapted for use in said vertical rack position to lock said reagent tubes in an upright position, and wherein both the upper and lower surfaces of said tube grid are provided with said reagent test tube spacing members and said end plates having two side edge surfaces adjacent said lower edge supporting surface for respectively supporting said rack in first and second alternate horizontal positions, there being two control bars each respectively adapted for positioning in an open and closed position, said end plates each having means for receiving and longitudinally orienting an elongated stamp pad in a generally normal attitude above said grid upper and lower surfaces in said alternate first and second horizontal positions for gang stamping indicia upon said reagent test tubes. 
     
     
       7. The test tube rack of claim 6, said end plate stamp pad receiving means being a pair of upright slots in each of the end plate surfaces proximal said tube grid, said slots adapted to receive the outer ends of said stamp pad. 
     
     
       8. The test tube rack of claim 7, including means for resiliently urging said control bar to said closed position. 
     
     
       9. The test tube rack of claim 4, said upper and lower grid surfaces each further including an upright shelf for supporting the ends of said specimen tubes, said shelves positioned below the control bar in said closed position. 
     
     
       10. The test tube rack of claim 1, wherein both the upper and lower surfaces of said tube grid are provided with said reagent test tube spacing members and said end plates having two side edge surfaces adjacent said lower edge supporting surface for respectively supporting said rack in first and second alternate horizontal positions, there being two control bars each respectively adapted for positioning in an open and closed position. 
     
     
       11. An improved construction test tube rack usable in alternate horizontal and vertical use positions for respectively initially loading and stamping reaction tubes and thereafter conducting tests from patient specimen tubes in such reaction tubes, comprising a rack body including a pair of end plates each having a lower edge surface for supporting the rack in its vertical position and at least one adjacent side edge surface for supporting said rack in its alternate horizontal position, said body further including a substantially planar tube grid with upper and lower surfaces and longitudinally extending between said end plates and supported thereby, said grid having at least one said surface provided with a plurality of upstanding aligned and longitudinally spaced members for supporting and longitudinally spacing a plurality of reagent test tubes thereon, at least one control bar longitudinally extending along said one grid surface and operable between open and closed alternate positions and having an upper surface provided with longitudinally spaced openings for receipt of patient specimen tubes, said control bar upper surface terminating in a longitudinal edge proximally spaced to said one grid surface and adapted to contact said reagent test tubes supported thereon in its closed position and positioned away from said one grid surface in its open position, said closed control bar position adapted for use in said vertical rack position to position said specimen tubes adjacent said reagent tubes and to lock said reagent tubes in an upright position, and wherein both the upper and lower surfaces of said tube grid are provided with said reagent test tube spacing members and said end plates having two side edge surfaces adjacent said lower edge supporting surface for respectively supporting said rack in first and second alternate horizontal positions, there being two control bars each respectively adapted for positioning in an open and closed position, said end plates each having means for receiving and longitudinally orienting an elongated stamp pad in a generally normal attitude above said grid upper and lower surfaces in said alternate first and second horizontal positions for gang stamping indicia upon said reagent test tubes. 
     
     
       12. The test tube rack of claim 11, said end plate stamp pad receiving means being a pair of upright slots in each of the end plate surfaces proximal said tube grid, said slots adapted to receive the outer ends of said stamp pad. 
     
     
       13. The test tube rack of claim 12, including means for resiliently urging said control bar to said closed position, said control bars supported for pivotal movement between said open and closed positions and said resilient control bar urging means being an elastic cord at each opposite end of said grid, said cords passing through said grid and both said control bars. 
     
     
       14. The test tube rack of claim 10, said control bars each having a lower extension downwardly extending from said upper surface at a position distal from said grid surfaces, said lower extensions in turn pivotally supported between said end plates. 
     
     
       15. The test tube rack of claim 10, said upper and lower grid surfaces each further including an upright shelf for supporting the ends of said specimen tubes, said shelves positioned below the control bar upper surfaces in said closed position. 
     
     
       16. The test tube rack of claim 14, said control bars being generally of an inverted L shape with the foot of the L forming the upper surface thereof, said upper surfaces being generally planar and provided with said openings for said specimen tubes and said longitudinal edge thereof positioned at a generally normal attitude to said surface proximal thereto. 
     
     
       17. An improved construction test tube rack usable in alternate horizontal and vertical use positions for respectively initially loading and stamping reaction tubes and thereafter conducting tests from patient specimen tubes in such reaction tubes, comprising a rack body including a pair of end plates each having a lower edge surface for supporting the rack in its vertical position and at least one adjacent side edge surface for supporting said rack in its alternate horizontal position, said body further including a substantially planar tube grid with upper and lower surfaces and longitudinally extending between said end plates and supported thereby, said grid having at least one said surface provided with a plurality of upstanding aligned and longitudinally spaced members for supporting and longitudinally spacing a plurality of reagent test tubes thereon, at least one control bar longitudinally extending along said one grid surface and operable between open and closed alternate positions and having an upper surface provided with longitudinally spaced openings for receipt of patient specimen tubes, said control bar upper surface terminating in a longitudinal edge proximally spaced to said one grid surface and adapted to contact said reagent test tubes supported thereon in its closed position and positioned away from said one grid surface in its open position, said closed control bar position adapted for use in said vertical rack position to position said specimen tubes adjacent said reagent tubes and to lock said reagent tubes in an upright position, and wherein both the upper and lower surfaces of said tube grid are provided with said reagent test tube spacing members and said end plates having two side edge surfaces adjacent said lower edge supporting surface for respectively supporting said rack in first and second alternate horizontal positions, there being two control bars each respectively adapted for positioning in an open and closed position, said control bars each having a lower extension downwardly extending from said upper surface at a position distal from said grid surfaces, said lower extensions in turn pivotally supported between said end plates, said upper control bar surface comprising a longitudinally oriented series of rigid, open hoops into which said specimen tubes are adapted to be inserted in upright position, the longitudinal edge of said upper control bar surface being a longitudinal extending upright plate attached to the inner surfaces of said hoops. 
     
     
       18. The test tube rack of claim 17, said hoops attached to the inner surface of said lower extensions. 
     
     
       19. The test tube rack of claim 17, including a resilient pad positioned within each of said hoops to cushion and resiliently engage said patient specimen tubes positioned therein. 
     
     
       20. The test tube rack of claim 1, said control bar having an upper surface provided with longtidunially-spaced openings for receipt of patient specimen tubes, said control bar upper surface terminating in a longitudinal edge approximately spaced to said one grid surface and forming said control bar inner surface member.